Cultural Icons of Trinidad and Tobago
A mixed media exploration of the symbols, traditions, and elements that define our Caribbean identity
About This Work
This wooden wall installation celebrates ten influential figures who have shaped Trinidad and Tobago's cultural landscape. Each laser-engraved portrait frame showcases local celebrities including Machel Montano and KES (Soca Artists), Mighty Sparrow and Calypso Rose (Calypsonians), Hasely Crawford (Olympic Track and Field Athlete), Brian Lara (International Cricketer), Giselle Laronde-West (Miss World 1986), V.S. Naipaul (Nobel Prize Literature), Peter Minshall (Carnival Artist), and Penelope Spencer (Award-winning Actress).
This piece pays homage to local celebrities who have brought international recognition to Trinidad and Tobago. The decorative borders were designed online, incorporating elements from each icon's specific craft, and then laser-engraved onto wooden slabs. Each portrait was created using the silkscreen printing process and individually attached to the wall with nails.
Small circular wooden slabs contain brief printed biographies of each cultural icon, creating an interactive element that allows viewers to learn about the achievements and contributions of these remarkable individuals who continue to inspire generations of Trinidadians and Tobagonians.
Year
2023
Medium
Laser-engraved wood, silkscreen printing, mixed media installation
Location
Cambridge, MA
Behind the Scenes
A look into the creative process and techniques used to bring this installation to life
Laser-Engraved Frames
The empty wooden frames after laser engraving, showing the intricate custom border designs incorporating symbolic elements specific to each cultural icon's achievements and craft.
Completed Portraits
The final result showing all portrait frames with silkscreen printed portraits installed, ready for wall mounting and exhibition.
Laser Engraving
Behind-the-scenes footage showing part of the creative process for the Cultural Icons installation.
Completed Installation
Additional behind-the-scenes footage documenting the artistic process and techniques used.
Digital Design
Each portrait frame border was carefully designed online, incorporating symbolic elements specific to each cultural icon's craft—musical notes for artists, sports equipment for athletes, and literary symbols for writers.
Laser Engraving
The custom-designed borders were precision laser-engraved onto wooden slabs, creating intricate details that would be impossible to achieve by hand while maintaining consistency across all ten frames.
Silkscreen Printing
Each portrait was created using the traditional silkscreen printing process, allowing for rich, vibrant colors and sharp detail reproduction that captures the essence of each cultural icon.
Biography Research
Extensive research was conducted to create concise yet comprehensive biographies for each icon, highlighting their most significant contributions to Trinidad and Tobago's cultural landscape.
Installation Assembly
Each portrait was carefully positioned and individually nailed to the wall, with circular wooden biography plaques strategically placed to create an engaging, interactive viewing experience.
Final Curation
The final installation was curated to create visual balance and narrative flow, ensuring each cultural icon's story contributes to the overall celebration of Trinidad and Tobago's rich heritage.
"Each step in this process was a tribute to the icons themselves—combining traditional craftsmanship with modern technology to honor those who have shaped our cultural identity through their own innovative approaches to their respective crafts."